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Junior Member
 
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I understand that the offerings in various states for Experienced Rider Courses (ERCs) are low because there isn't a big demand for them. It seems to me that with the fatality rates pointed to the age group that typically isn't represented in other fatal crashes there would be more people looking to learn some better skills.
Do you think it is because riders think they possess all the skills they need? Or is there more publicity needed for course offerings?
Wouldn't clubs take advantage of courses if they could be offerd to an entire group?
I'm interested to hear what people think about this.
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New Member
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| I'll bet there are lots of reasons. In addition to the whole category of not needing more instruction I can think of a few. At least in Illinois you have to provide your own MC. So I'll bet there are people who don't want to risk their pride and joy on a course. I know that I made the decision to use my Savage rather than my Concours because of the unkown risk factor. I didn't know what the course contained, so didn't want to take the chance of creasing the tupperware. I probably would have taken the course anyway if I only had the Concours to choose from, but that's just me. Then you probably have people who didn't do well in the BRC who don't think they'll pass the ERC. (Don't ask me why they don't retake the BRC, I don't know). Then there are the people who don't ride very many miles in a year. They probably either figure they don't qualify as experienced or don't think they need more instruction since they only go out a few times a year. I do think the MSF could do more to publicize the courses, and let people know what the content is. Also at least in my area of Illinois, the courses are limited in number and fill up pretty fast. I know that's not the case in other parts of the state, but also I think some are worse. As explained to me it's a matter of when the training sites are available and getting enough instructors.
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Average Member
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New Rider has hit on most of the reason I have and have heard. When I signed up for a 4 day police type training course the school for a fee offered their bikes, I figured if I was going to push the envelope I might fall and I didn't want to do two thousand dollars worth of damage to my own ride. So I paid the extra, it was a good thing; I fell because of stupid stuff and just getting mentally tired. But learned so much I recommend taking an advance class/course. I have had a dozen different people tell me that they can't get into a beginner class, that the classes fill up the morning they are offered. It’s to confusing to sign up, they want me to spend two nights in as classroom and then two Saturdays, I don't have the time. I always tell people I not only took a beginner class and then took the road test at the Department of Motor Vehicle, which I was exempt because I passed the course. I've taken the BRC with a friend after twenty years of ridding, just so he would find the time. Side note; take the class again, you'll learn you have picked up some bad habits.
Gfurlo
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Gfurlo (11/2/2006)
When I signed up for a 4 day police type training course the school for a fee offered their bikes, I figured if I was going to push the envelopeI mightfall andI didn't want to do two thousand dollars worth of damage to my own ride. So I paid the extra, it was a good thing; I fell because of stupid stuff and just getting mentally tired.
Which course - Northwest?
Gfurlo (11/2/2006)
I have had a dozen different people tell me that they can't get into a beginner class, that the classes fill up the morning they are offered. It’s to confusing to sign up, they want me to spend two nights in as classroom and then two Saturdays, I don't have the time.
I taught 13 ERCs the last year we used the old curriculum. I was scheduled to teach 3 ERCs in 2006. ALL were cancelled due to lack of applicants. Demand seems to have dropped off more each year since the ERC suite was introduced. The two could be unrelated (we had a lot of BRCs cancelled this year as well) or word could be getting out that the new course just isn't very challenging.
John
Isaac Newton is my co-pilot.
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| Dunno about other states, but the ERC classes here in Indiana did fill up, but they didn't offer very many that I saw. And they didn't offer them in all the training sites, either. There wasn't one around where I live. I took the ERC through the Gold Wing Club a year or two ago. I thought it was a hoot. What was the most fun was watching all the GW riders and the lone Electra Glide rider try the fugure 8 and tight U-turn! They couldn't do it and STILL scraped hardware! OK, the instructor did it on his Wing... The only two students to make the turns without scraping pegs, were my buddy on his Bandit and me on the K!
Godzilla
1985 BMW K100
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| I took the four day Northwest Motorcyle School class last year....it is a motorcycle officer training course ramped down for civilians...... Definitely one of the smartest decisions I've ever made The instructors are excellant ! A very demanding , rewarding experience ! I completed the class , but didn't pass all of the benchmarks . I'm enrolled in a refresher course , I will continue to attend until I successfully complete the training . The lead instructor is a retired motorcycle officer with great passion for correct riding dynamics...... I count my self as one of the lucky ones for having this opportunity ! Motormule 2005XL1200C Seattle , Wa.
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MotoMule
The course offered by Northwest if a far cry from any of the MSF offerings.
Compare the ERC Suite with Northwest.
Limited space manuevers
- ERC box is 70' x 24', 1 pass
- Northwest is 2 consecutive figure 8s in 4 compact car parking spaces (approx 36' x 18')
Swerving
- ERC is a single swerve to the left at a speed about 20 MPH
- Northwest - repeated swerves (4 I think) at 30+
Quickstop
- ERC speed is about 20
- Northwest is 40+
The remaining ERC evaluation is a single 135 degree turn of about 20' radius.
The remaining Northwest evaluation is an obstacle course - the sickle, figure 8, eliminator, inline cone weave, dogleg, keyhole, chicane, offset cone weave, circle cone weave, low speed 90 turn, swerve, 180 degree decelerator, and end gate - timed with penalty points for putting a foot down or taking out a cone.
Did your class finish early enough for any extras after the evaluation. One of the things we did was called controlled aggression. I liked that one, lots of floorboard scrapping.
John
Isaac | | | |